‘My own blood’: family relationships of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people in the UK

Abstract

This article explores the family social networks of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people in the UK. While significant attention has been paid to their experiences, few studies have considered family relationships. The findings in this article, based on empirical research with unaccompanied young people, suggests that they are engaged in complex and fluid family relationships both within the UK and transnationally. The young people in this study felt significant obligations towards family members and sought to provide care and support to those in the UK and abroad. However, they faced significant barriers to achieving these aims.